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B1 verb #44 mais comum 11 min de leitura

checking

Top 44

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas checking em 30 segundos

Explicação checking in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'checking' is a very useful word for talking about simple daily actions. You use it when you look at something to get information. For example, you might say 'I am checking the time' or 'I am checking my phone.' It usually follows 'am,' 'is,' or 'are.' It is an active word. It shows you are looking for an answer. You can also use it at a hotel: 'I am checking in.' This means you are telling the hotel you have arrived. It is a friendly, common word that helps you describe what you are doing right now. You don't need to worry about complex meanings yet. Just think of it as 'looking to see if something is okay or what the information is.' It's a basic building block for describing your day-to-day life and routines.

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'checking' in more varied sentences. You might use it to talk about your responsibilities or small tasks. For instance, 'I am checking my homework for mistakes' or 'She is checking the fridge for milk.' Here, you are not just looking; you are looking for something specific. You can also use it in the past continuous: 'I was checking my email when the phone rang.' This helps you tell better stories. You will also encounter 'checking' in travel contexts more often, like 'checking your bags' at the airport. It's important to remember that 'checking' is an ongoing action. If you finish the action, you say 'I checked.' But if you are in the middle of it, 'checking' is the right word to use.

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At the B1 level, 'checking' becomes a key word for describing work processes and social interactions. You are expected to understand the difference between 'checking on someone' (care) and 'checking something' (verification). For example, 'I'm checking on my sick friend' versus 'I'm checking the report.' You also start using 'checking' as a gerund (a noun made from a verb). You might say, 'Checking the weather is part of my morning routine.' This shows a higher level of grammatical control. You should also be aware of common collocations like 'checking for errors' or 'checking the status.' At this level, you are moving beyond simple actions to describing procedures and habits. You understand that 'checking' implies a level of attention and care that 'looking' does not.

At the B2 level, you should use 'checking' with more precision and understand its metaphorical uses. You might talk about 'checking your impulses' or 'checking your privilege,' where the word means to restrain or evaluate oneself. You are also expected to distinguish 'checking' from more formal synonyms like 'verifying,' 'inspecting,' or 'auditing.' In a professional context, you might say, 'We are currently checking the feasibility of the project.' You also understand phrasal verbs better, such as 'checking out' a new restaurant (trying it) or 'checking up on' a subordinate's work. Your use of 'checking' should feel natural and nuanced, reflecting an understanding of tone and register. You know when 'checking' is too informal and when it's the perfect, most direct word to use.

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At the C1 level, you recognize 'checking' in complex idiomatic and specialized contexts. You understand 'checks and balances' in a political system, where 'checking' refers to the limitation of power. You can use 'checking' to describe subtle social dynamics, such as 'checking someone's ego' or 'checking the room' for emotional cues. Your vocabulary includes specialized terms like 'fact-checking' in journalism or 'sanity checking' in software development. You are sensitive to the stylistic effects of using 'checking' versus more Latinate alternatives like 'ascertaining' or 'corroborating.' You can discuss the psychological aspects of 'checking' behaviors in certain conditions. Your command of the word allows you to use it as a precise tool for describing oversight, restraint, and verification in sophisticated academic or professional discourse.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'checking' is complete. You can use it in highly nuanced ways, perhaps in literary or philosophical contexts to describe the act of self-reflection or the limitations of human perception. You understand the historical etymology—how the word moved from the game of chess (Shah/Check) to general verification and restraint. You can use 'checking' in complex grammatical structures without hesitation, and you are aware of its rarest meanings, such as in specialized engineering or legal contexts. You can critique the use of 'checking' in various registers, identifying when it is used to simplify complex processes or when it carries a specific cultural weight. For you, 'checking' is not just a verb; it is a concept of verification and balance that you can weave into any level of conversation or writing with absolute precision.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

checking em 30 segundos

Checking is the active process of verifying information, inspecting objects, or monitoring situations to ensure they are correct, safe, or functioning as expected.
It is used in daily life for simple tasks like looking at the time and in professional settings for rigorous quality control and security measures.
Grammatically, it functions as a present participle for continuous actions and as a gerund to describe the concept or activity of verification itself.
The word can also mean to restrain or limit something, such as in sports (hockey checking) or in self-regulation (checking one's emotions).

The word checking is the present participle or gerund form of the verb 'to check.' At its core, it describes the action of examining something to determine its condition, accuracy, or quality. This is a fundamental human activity that spans from the most mundane daily routines to highly specialized professional tasks. When you are checking something, you are essentially looking for confirmation or looking to prevent an error. It is a proactive state of mind where one is vigilant and observant. In modern life, we are constantly checking our surroundings, our digital devices, and our own work. The term is versatile because it can imply a quick glance or a deep, rigorous investigation depending on the context.

Verification: The process of ensuring that information is correct, such as checking a bank statement for errors or checking a flight's status.
Security: The act of inspecting for safety, like a security guard checking IDs at a gate or a pilot checking the engines before takeoff.
Monitoring: Keeping track of progress over time, such as a doctor checking a patient's pulse or a teacher checking students' progress.

I spent the whole morning checking the figures in the report to make sure there were no typos.

Beyond simple verification, checking can also refer to the act of stopping or restraining something. In sports like ice hockey, 'checking' is a physical move used to disrupt an opponent's progress. In a more metaphorical sense, 'checking' one's emotions means to keep them under control. This dual nature of the word—both as an inspection and a restraint—makes it a powerful tool in the English language. People use it when they want to convey a sense of responsibility, caution, or oversight. Whether you are checking your watch to see if you're late or checking a friend's behavior to ensure they are okay, the word implies an active engagement with the world around you.

Security is checking bags at the entrance of the stadium.

Physical Inspection: Touching or looking at a physical object to find flaws, like checking fruit for bruises.

She is checking the oil level in her car before the long road trip.

The teacher is checking the attendance list to see who is missing.

Digital Context: Refreshing an app or website to see new updates, such as checking social media or checking email.

Stop checking your phone every five minutes during dinner!

Using 'checking' correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical roles as a present participle (forming continuous tenses) and as a gerund (acting as a noun). When used as a verb, it often follows a form of 'to be' (am, is, are, was, were) to indicate an action in progress. For example, 'I am checking the weather' suggests the action is happening right now. As a gerund, it can serve as the subject or object of a sentence, such as in 'Checking your work is important for success.' This flexibility allows speakers to describe the process of verification in various temporal and structural contexts.

Present Continuous: Used for actions happening at the moment of speaking. Example: 'The mechanic is checking the brakes.'
Gerund as Subject: When the act of checking itself is the topic. Example: 'Checking the facts before publishing is a journalist's duty.'
Past Continuous: Used for actions that were ongoing in the past. Example: 'I was checking my messages when you called.'

Are you checking the time because you want to leave?

One must also consider the prepositions that often follow 'checking.' We usually check 'for' something (like errors or symptoms) or check 'on' someone (to see if they are okay). You might also check 'in' at a hotel or 'out' of a library. These phrasal variations change the meaning slightly but remain rooted in the idea of verification or status-seeking. In professional writing, 'checking' is often replaced by more formal verbs like 'verifying' or 'auditing,' but in daily conversation, 'checking' remains the most natural and frequently used term. It conveys a sense of thoroughness without being overly technical.

The software is checking for updates automatically.

Checking In/Out: Specific to travel and logistics. Example: 'We are checking in at the airport counter.'

After checking the map, we realized we were going the wrong way.

He is checking on his grandmother to make sure she has enough groceries.

Double-Checking: Checking a second time for extra certainty. Example: 'I'm double-checking the locks before we leave.'

By checking the temperature, she knew the cake was ready.

You will encounter 'checking' in almost every facet of modern life, from professional environments to casual social interactions. In the workplace, it is a ubiquitous term used to describe oversight and quality control. Managers might ask if you are 'checking' the status of a project, or IT professionals might talk about 'checking' the server for errors. In these contexts, 'checking' implies a level of professional diligence and responsibility. It is the language of efficiency and accuracy. In the financial world, 'checking' is part of the name of the most common bank account type in North America—the checking account—which is used for frequent withdrawals and deposits, contrasting with a savings account.

Travel and Hospitality: At airports and hotels, 'checking in' and 'checking out' are the standard terms for registering and departing. You'll hear announcements like 'Now checking in passengers for flight 402.'
Technology and Social Media: In the digital age, 'checking' has become a compulsive habit. People talk about 'checking' their notifications, 'checking' their feed, or 'checking' their battery percentage. It's the primary verb for digital interaction.
Sports Commentary: In hockey or lacrosse, commentators frequently use 'checking' to describe defensive maneuvers. 'He's checking him into the boards!' is a classic line in hockey broadcasts.

The doctor is checking your blood pressure now.

In social settings, 'checking' often takes on a more emotional or relational meaning. You might 'check on' a friend who has been quiet lately, or 'check in' with your partner about dinner plans. In these cases, 'checking' is an act of care and communication. It's about maintaining connections and ensuring the well-being of others. You'll also hear it in retail, where a clerk might be 'checking' the price of an item or 'checking' the back room for more stock. Because it is so common, the word often fades into the background of our conversations, yet it remains one of the most essential verbs for describing how we navigate and verify our reality.

I'm just checking to see if the store is still open.

Education: Teachers are always 'checking' homework or 'checking' for understanding during a lesson.

The pilot is checking the flight instruments before departure.

We are checking the guest list one last time.

Journalism: 'Fact-checking' is a specific professional practice used to ensure the truth of claims made by public figures.

Is the waiter checking if our food is ready?

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 'checking' is confusing it with the verb 'controlling.' In many languages (like Spanish, French, or Italian), the word for 'control' also means 'to check' or 'to verify.' However, in English, 'controlling' means to have power over something or to direct it, while 'checking' means to inspect or verify it. For example, a manager 'checks' your work to see if it's correct, but they 'control' the budget. Using 'controlling' when you mean 'checking' can lead to significant misunderstandings about authority and process. Another common error is using the wrong preposition; saying 'checking to' instead of 'checking on' or 'checking for' is a typical slip-up.

Check vs. Control: Mistake: 'I am controlling my emails.' (Sounds like you are managing them with power). Correct: 'I am checking my emails.' (You are looking at them to see what's new).
Check vs. Look At: While similar, 'checking' implies a purpose. You 'look at' a sunset, but you 'check' your watch. If there is no goal of verification, 'checking' might feel too clinical.
Preposition Errors: Mistake: 'I'm checking about the weather.' Correct: 'I'm checking the weather' or 'I'm checking on the weather conditions.'

Incorrect: He is controlling the list. Correct: He is checking the list.

Additionally, learners sometimes over-rely on 'checking' when a more specific verb would be better. While 'checking the facts' is fine, 'verifying the facts' is more precise in an academic context. Similarly, 'checking the patient' is okay, but 'examining the patient' is what a doctor actually does. Overusing 'checking' can make your English sound repetitive and less sophisticated. Finally, be careful with the phrase 'checking out.' While it usually means leaving a hotel, in casual contexts, it can mean looking at someone in a sexual way, which might be inappropriate if used in the wrong setting. Always consider the social context before using 'checking out' to describe looking at something or someone.

Mistake: I am checking for my keys. (If you are looking for them because they are lost, 'looking for' is better. If you are verifying you have them, 'checking' is fine.)

Spelling: Remember the 'ck' in the middle. Some learners mistakenly write 'cheking' or 'chinging.'

Don't confuse checking (verifying) with choking (unable to breathe)!

He's checking in with his boss (asking for an update) vs. checking on his boss (seeing if he is okay).

Tense Consistency: Ensure you use 'checking' with an auxiliary verb if it's a continuous action: 'I checking' is incorrect; 'I am checking' is correct.

Are you checking the spelling? (Correct) vs. Do you checking the spelling? (Incorrect).

While 'checking' is a versatile and common word, English offers many synonyms that can provide more precision or a different tone depending on the situation. If you are in a formal or scientific setting, you might use 'verifying' or 'validating.' These words imply a more rigorous process of proving something is true or correct. If the checking involves a physical search or a deep dive into details, 'inspecting' or 'scrutinizing' are excellent choices. 'Inspecting' is often used for physical objects or safety standards, while 'scrutinizing' suggests a very close and critical examination, often looking for tiny flaws or hidden meanings. Understanding these nuances helps you tailor your language to your audience.

Verifying: Focuses on proving truth or accuracy. 'We are verifying the identity of the caller.'
Inspecting: Focuses on physical examination. 'The health department is inspecting the restaurant kitchen.'
Monitoring: Focuses on observation over time. 'The scientists are monitoring the volcanic activity.'

Instead of just checking the data, the analyst is scrutinizing every single entry for fraud.

In more casual contexts, you might use 'looking over' or 'glancing at.' These suggest a less thorough check. 'I'm just looking over the menu' sounds more relaxed than 'I'm checking the menu.' If you are making sure someone is okay, you might say 'I'm seeing how they are doing' instead of 'I'm checking on them.' In a business context, 'reviewing' is a very common alternative, especially for documents or performance. 'I'm reviewing your application' sounds more professional than 'I'm checking your application.' By choosing the right alternative, you can convey exactly how much effort and attention you are putting into the task.

The customs officer is examining the contents of the suitcase.

Scanning: Checking quickly for specific information. 'She is scanning the crowd for her sister.'

Are you vetting the new candidates? (Vetting is a thorough background check).

The detective is investigating the scene (a deeper form of checking).

Double-Checking: Used when you want to emphasize extra care. 'I'm double-checking the flight time.'

The editor is proofreading the manuscript (checking for text errors).

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The word 'checking' actually shares the same root as the word 'chess' and 'exchequer' (a national treasury).

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ˈtʃek.ɪŋ/

US /ˈtʃek.ɪŋ/

The stress is on the first syllable: CHEK-ing.

Rima com

pecking wrecking decking necking trekking specking flecking teching

Erros comuns

Pronouncing 'ch' as 'sh' (shecking).
Making the 'e' too long (cheek-ing).
Dropping the 'g' at the end (checkin').
Confusing the 'ch' with 'j' (jecking).
Stress on the second syllable (check-ING).

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize in most texts due to its common usage.

Escrita 3/5

Requires understanding of gerund vs. participle and correct prepositions.

Expressão oral 2/5

Very common in daily speech; easy to use once prepositions are learned.

Audição 2/5

Clearly pronounced, though 'checking in/out' can be fast in travel settings.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

look see correct find time

Aprenda a seguir

verify inspect confirm audit scrutinize

Avançado

validation corroboration oversight restraint curtailment

Gramática essencial

Present Continuous Tense

I am checking the data.

Gerunds as Subjects

Checking the facts is essential.

Phrasal Verbs with Check

I need to check in at the front desk.

Verbs followed by Gerunds

He finished checking the documents.

Prepositional Phrases

She is responsible for checking the inventory.

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Exemplos por nível

I am checking my phone.

Je regarde mon téléphone.

Present continuous: am + checking.

He is checking the time.

Il regarde l'heure.

Present continuous: is + checking.

Are you checking the door?

Est-ce que tu vérifies la porte ?

Question form of present continuous.

She is checking in at the hotel.

Elle s'enregistre à l'hôtel.

Phrasal verb: checking in.

We are checking the map.

Nous regardons la carte.

Present continuous: are + checking.

They are checking the price.

Ils vérifient le prix.

Present continuous: are + checking.

I am checking the weather.

Je regarde la météo.

Present continuous: am + checking.

Is she checking her bag?

Est-ce qu'elle vérifie son sac ?

Question form: Is + subject + checking.

I was checking my email when you called.

Je vérifiais mes emails quand tu as appelé.

Past continuous: was + checking.

She is checking the fridge for milk.

Elle regarde dans le frigo s'il y a du lait.

Checking + [noun] + for + [noun].

Are they checking the train schedule?

Vérifient-ils l'horaire des trains ?

Present continuous question.

He is checking his homework for mistakes.

Il vérifie ses devoirs pour voir s'il y a des erreurs.

Checking + [noun] + for + [noun].

We are checking out of the hotel now.

Nous quittons l'hôtel maintenant.

Phrasal verb: checking out.

The doctor is checking the baby's weight.

Le médecin vérifie le poids du bébé.

Present continuous.

I am checking the oil in my car.

Je vérifie l'huile de ma voiture.

Present continuous.

Stop checking your watch every minute!

Arrête de regarder ta montre toutes les minutes !

Gerund after the verb 'stop'.

Checking the facts is very important for a journalist.

Vérifier les faits est très important pour un journaliste.

Gerund used as the subject of the sentence.

I'm checking on my neighbor because she is sick.

Je prends des nouvelles de ma voisine parce qu'elle est malade.

Phrasal verb: checking on (to see if someone is okay).

The system is checking for updates automatically.

Le système recherche les mises à jour automatiquement.

Present continuous with an adverb.

We are checking with the manager before we make a decision.

Nous voyons avec le manager avant de prendre une décision.

Phrasal verb: checking with (to get permission or info).

After checking the results, he felt much better.

Après avoir vérifié les résultats, il s'est senti beaucoup mieux.

Gerund after a preposition (after).

She is checking her bank statement for any unusual activity.

Elle vérifie son relevé bancaire pour toute activité inhabituelle.

Checking + [noun] + for + [noun].

The security guard is checking IDs at the entrance.

Le garde de sécurité vérifie les pièces d'identité à l'entrée.

Present continuous.

Are you checking to see if the store is open?

Vérifies-tu si le magasin est ouvert ?

Checking + to see + if...

The scientists are checking the validity of the data.

Les scientifiques vérifient la validité des données.

Formal context: checking the validity.

He's checking his ego at the door before the meeting.

Il met son ego de côté avant la réunion.

Idiomatic use: checking [something] at the door.

The pilot is checking the flight instruments for any malfunctions.

Le pilote vérifie les instruments de vol pour tout dysfonctionnement.

Professional context.

We are checking into the possibility of expanding our business.

Nous étudions la possibilité d'étendre notre entreprise.

Phrasal verb: checking into (investigating).

By checking the source code, she found the bug.

En vérifiant le code source, elle a trouvé le bug.

Gerund showing method (By + checking).

Is the government checking the spread of the virus?

Le gouvernement freine-t-il la propagation du virus ?

Checking meaning 'to restrain' or 'to limit'.

I'm checking out that new art gallery this weekend.

Je vais aller voir cette nouvelle galerie d'art ce week-end.

Informal phrasal verb: checking out (visiting/exploring).

They are checking the alignment of the wheels.

Ils vérifient l'alignement des roues.

Technical context.

The auditor is checking the accounts for any signs of embezzlement.

L'auditeur vérifie les comptes pour tout signe de détournement de fonds.

High-level professional context.

Checking the power of the executive branch is a key function of the judiciary.

Limiter le pouvoir du pouvoir exécutif est une fonction clé du pouvoir judiciaire.

Political/Legal context: checking as limiting.

She is constantly checking her impulses to speak out in meetings.

Elle réprime constamment ses impulsions à s'exprimer en réunion.

Psychological context: checking as restraining.

The journalist is fact-checking the politician's claims in real-time.

Le journaliste vérifie les faits des affirmations du politicien en temps réel.

Compound gerund: fact-checking.

Are you checking the room for any signs of surveillance?

Vérifiez-vous s'il y a des signes de surveillance dans la pièce ?

Nuanced/Suspenseful context.

Checking the growth of urban sprawl is a priority for the city council.

Freiner la croissance de l'étalement urbain est une priorité pour le conseil municipal.

Checking as limiting/controlling growth.

The historian is checking the archives for primary sources.

L'historien vérifie les archives pour trouver des sources primaires.

Academic context.

He is checking his watch, clearly impatient with the delay.

Il regarde sa montre, manifestement impatient du retard.

Descriptive narrative style.

The treaty includes mechanisms for checking the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Le traité comprend des mécanismes pour freiner la prolifération des armes nucléaires.

International relations context.

In his essay, he explores the concept of checking one's own biases.

Dans son essai, il explore le concept de remise en question de ses propres préjugés.

Philosophical/Abstract context.

The defense attorney was checking the witness's testimony against the police report.

L'avocat de la défense vérifiait le témoignage du témoin par rapport au rapport de police.

Legal context: checking against (comparing).

Checking the flow of information is essential in a crisis.

Contrôler le flux d'informations est essentiel en cas de crise.

Checking as managing/regulating.

The artisan is checking the temper of the steel by its color.

L'artisan vérifie la trempe de l'acier à sa couleur.

Specialized craft context.

Is the central bank checking inflation through interest rate hikes?

La banque centrale freine-t-elle l'inflation par des hausses de taux d'intérêt ?

Economic context.

She was checking her reflection, not out of vanity, but to ensure her disguise was perfect.

Elle vérifiait son reflet, non par vanité, mais pour s'assurer que son déguisement était parfait.

Literary/Narrative nuance.

The software performs a parity check, checking for data corruption during transfer.

Le logiciel effectue un contrôle de parité, vérifiant la corruption des données pendant le transfert.

Technical/Computing context.

Colocações comuns

checking the facts

checking the time

checking for errors

checking in

checking out

checking on someone

checking the weather

checking a box

checking the oil

checking the status

Frases Comuns

Checking it twice

— Being extra careful, often referring to Santa Claus or a thorough list.

I'm checking the guest list twice to be sure.

Checking the pulse

— Literally checking a heartbeat or figuratively checking the mood of a group.

The manager is checking the pulse of the team.

Checking the boxes

— Completing all the required tasks or meeting all criteria.

The candidate is checking all the boxes for the job.

Checking in with

— Talking to someone to get an update or see how they are.

I'll be checking in with you later today.

Checking your privilege

— Reflecting on the unearned advantages you might have in society.

Checking your privilege is part of being an ally.

Checking the rearview

— Looking back at the past or literally at a car mirror.

He's always checking the rearview mirror of his life.

Checking the fine print

— Looking at the small, often hidden details of a contract.

Always be checking the fine print before signing.

Checking the perimeter

— Inspecting the outer boundary of an area for security.

The guards are checking the perimeter of the building.

Checking your sources

— Verifying where information came from to ensure it's reliable.

Checking your sources is essential for a good essay.

Checking the score

— Looking to see who is winning a game or competition.

He's constantly checking the score on his phone.

Frequentemente confundido com

checking vs controlling

Controlling means having power over; checking means verifying.

checking vs looking

Looking is general; checking is looking with a specific purpose of verification.

checking vs testing

Testing involves a trial to see if something works; checking is often just seeing the current status.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Checking out"

— To stop paying attention or to die (slang).

He totally checked out during the boring lecture.

informal

"Check and double-check"

— To verify something with extreme care multiple times.

I check and double-check the locks every night.

neutral

"Checking the boxes"

— Doing things just to satisfy a requirement without much care.

The meeting felt like just checking the boxes.

neutral

"Keep in check"

— To keep something under control or restrained.

You need to keep your temper in check.

neutral

"Checking someone out"

— To look at someone because you find them sexually attractive.

I saw him checking you out at the bar.

informal

"Check your head"

— To think more clearly or reconsider your behavior.

You need to check your head if you think that's a good idea.

slang

"Rain check"

— A promise to do something at a later date because it's not possible now.

I can't go tonight, but can I take a rain check?

informal

"Check mate"

— A final, winning move in chess or a complete defeat.

The new evidence was check mate for the defense.

neutral

"Check yourself"

— To stop and think before you say or do something stupid.

Check yourself before you wreck yourself.

slang

"Checks and balances"

— A system that ensures no one part of a government has too much power.

The constitution is built on checks and balances.

formal

Fácil de confundir

checking vs Cheque

Sounds exactly the same.

In British English, 'cheque' is a bank document. 'Checking' is the verb.

I am checking if my cheque has arrived.

checking vs Choking

Similar spelling and sound.

Choking means unable to breathe. Checking means verifying.

He was checking the food, not choking on it.

checking vs Tracking

Both involve monitoring.

Tracking is following a path or progress over time. Checking is a point-in-time verification.

I am tracking the package and checking its status.

checking vs Watching

Both involve using eyes.

Watching is observing an action. Checking is verifying a state.

I am watching the game and checking the score.

checking vs Searching

Both involve looking for something.

Searching is looking for something lost or unknown. Checking is verifying something known.

I am searching for my keys and checking my pockets.

Padrões de frases

I am checking [noun].

I am checking the time.

She is checking [noun] for [noun].

She is checking the soup for salt.

Checking [noun] is [adjective].

Checking the map is helpful.

I am checking on [person].

I am checking on my brother.

We are checking into [possibility].

We are checking into buying a house.

By checking [noun], [subject] [verb].

By checking the oil, he saved the engine.

[Subject] is checking [noun] against [noun].

The clerk is checking the ID against the list.

The [noun] serves as a means of checking [abstract noun].

The law serves as a means of checking corruption.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

check

checker

checkout

check-in

checklist

Verbos

check

double-check

recheck

fact-check

Adjetivos

checked

checkable

checking

Relacionado

verification

inspection

control

restraint

scrutiny

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Como usar

frequency

Extremely high in both spoken and written English.

Erros comuns

I am controlling the weather. → I am checking the weather.
Controlling means you change the weather; checking means you look at the forecast.
I checking my phone. → I am checking my phone.
You need the auxiliary verb 'am' to form the present continuous.
I'm checking to my boss. → I'm checking with my boss.
The correct preposition for consulting someone is 'with'.
He is cheking the list. → He is checking the list.
The word is spelled with a 'ck'.
I'm checking for my keys. → I'm looking for my keys.
If they are lost, use 'looking for'. If you are verifying you have them, 'checking' is okay.

Dicas

Gerund vs Participle

Remember that 'checking' can be a noun (Checking is fun) or a verb (I am checking). Both are common.

Use Synonyms

Try using 'verifying' in your essays to sound more academic than 'checking'.

Check on Friends

Using 'checking on' shows empathy. It's a great way to start a conversation with someone you haven't talked to in a while.

Check-in Times

Always know your 'checking in' time for flights to avoid stress. It's usually 2 hours before departure.

Double-Checking

In a job, saying 'I'm double-checking the figures' shows you are careful and reliable.

Check your Notifications

Be mindful of how often you are 'checking' your phone; it can affect your focus.

Checking the Locks

Developing a habit of 'checking' safety items (locks, stove, brakes) is a good life skill.

Body Checking

If you watch hockey, 'checking' refers to hitting the opponent to get the puck.

Spell-checking

Never submit a paper without 'checking' the spelling first. Most software does this for you!

Check for Understanding

When learning English, keep 'checking' if you truly understand the meaning of a word in different contexts.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of a 'Check' mark (✓). When you are 'checking,' you are mentally putting a check mark next to things that are correct.

Associação visual

Imagine a detective with a magnifying glass looking at a list of names. He is 'checking' the list.

Word Web

Verify Inspect Look Stop Hockey Bank Email Safety

Desafio

Try to use 'checking' in three different ways today: once for a device, once for a person, and once for a task.

Origem da palavra

Derived from the Old French word 'eschequier' (chessboard), which comes from the Persian word 'shah' (king).

Significado original: In chess, 'check' means the king is under attack. This led to the meaning of 'stopping' or 'restraining' and eventually 'verifying.'

Indo-European (via Persian, Arabic, and Old French).

Contexto cultural

Be careful with 'checking someone out' as it can be perceived as harassment depending on the intensity and context.

In the UK and US, 'checking in' is expected at social events or when starting work. It shows you are present and engaged.

Santa Claus 'checking his list twice' The song 'Check Yo Self' by Ice Cube The 'Checks and Balances' system in the US Constitution

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

At the Airport

Checking in my luggage
Checking the flight board
Checking my passport
Checking through security

In the Office

Checking my email
Checking the report for errors
Checking with my boss
Checking the project status

At Home

Checking the fridge
Checking the mail
Checking on the kids
Checking the locks

Using Technology

Checking social media
Checking for updates
Checking the battery
Checking the signal

In Sports

Checking the opponent
Checking the score
Checking the clock
Checking the equipment

Iniciadores de conversa

"Have you been checking the news lately about the new space mission?"

"I'm always checking my phone; do you think we spend too much time on them?"

"Are you checking out any new restaurants or cafes this weekend?"

"How often are you checking your email during your vacation?"

"Is the teacher still checking the exams, or are the results out?"

Temas para diário

Describe a time when you forgot to check something important and what happened as a result.

How much time do you spend checking social media every day? Does it make you feel better or worse?

Write about the importance of checking in on friends and family. Who did you check on recently?

What are three things you are constantly checking throughout the day, and why?

Reflect on the concept of 'checking your impulses.' When was a time you had to restrain yourself?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Use 'checking for' when looking for a specific thing (errors, milk, symptoms). Use 'checking on' when seeing if a person or situation is okay.

Yes, as a gerund. 'The checking of the bags took forever.' It describes the activity.

In the US, it's a bank account for everyday spending, where you can write checks or use a debit card.

Yes, especially in sports or formal contexts like 'checks and balances.' It means to restrain or limit.

It can mean leaving a hotel, paying at a store, or informally, looking at something interesting or attractive.

Yes, it's neutral. However, 'verifying' or 'reviewing' might sound more professional depending on the task.

It's the process of verifying that the information in a story or speech is actually true.

No, you should say 'I am checking with you' to mean you are asking for information or confirmation.

It's a slang way of saying 'be careful' or 'think about what you are doing before you make a mistake.'

Checking is general and common. Inspecting is more formal and usually involves a very thorough physical look.

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